Music Scene
Waikiki Aquarium ready for summer concert series

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

Illustration by Jon Orque • The Honolulu Advertiser Ke Kani O Ke Kai Summer Concert Series at the WaikÌkÌ Aquarium Kicking off with The Brothers Cazimero 7 p.m., Thursday (Aquarium opens at 6 p.m. for tour exhibits) $18 ($13 for Friends of the Waikiki Aquarium members; children under 12 free when accompanied by an adult) 923-9741 Also: Olomana, July 12; Keola Beamer, July 26; Colon, Aug. 2

A lawn with room for about 600 on the makai side of the aquarium, it has a small stage where musicians can gaze out into the crowd or at the ocean while performing. The crowd gets just enough room to spread out the blankets for a dinner picnic while enjoying some local-kine jams.

Still, aquarium director of development Tammy Chun is proud of the sunny patch of well-tended grass. The performance lawn was added to early-1990s renovation plans specifically to accommodate the growing success of family entertainment offerings.

One of those success stories, Ke Kani O Ke Kai ("The Sound of the Sea"), the summer concert series, begins its seventh seasonal go-round on Thursday with audience favorites Robert and Roland Cazimero.

"We wanted an area in which we could have small or large gatherings that could really showcase local æætalent," says Chun, surveying the lawn and describing Ke Kani O Ke Kai's Thursday pau hana vibe.

The summer series proved its mettle two years before aquarium renovations began in 1991. Ke Kani O Ke Kai's first four-concert series in 1989 featured then top-tier acts like The Peter Moon Band, Cyril Pahinui and Ledward Kaapana and Ikona, and instantly attracted a loyal following. The inclusion of the permanent stage and lawn area, as well as increasing audience numbers, have helped attract more local acts to the music fest.

Since the aquarium's 1995 reopening, Ke Kani O Ke Kai has attracted acts such as Na Leo, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom & Willie K, Aunty Genoa Keawe and Keali'i Reichel. Besides The Caz, this year's lineup includes Keola Beamer, Olomana and Col÷n.

"All of ... (the shows) will sell out," Chun predicted. "We haven't had a problem filling the area in years. People begin calling in March or April to find out what acts will be here."

With children under 12 admitted free and the aquarium exhibits open to preshow exploration, it's not surprising that the series attracts a large family following. And to keep one family's KFC picnic from getting too close to the olfactory overload of another's Kim Chee II grinds, Chun restricts ticket sales to just 550 attendees, give or take a few.

This being a family show, you can also leave the beer and cigarettes at home, thank you very much.

"Our audience appreciates the intimate setting," says Chun. "They like that they can come and relax after work, see the sunset, visit the exhibits, bring their own food and enjoy some good music." Her advice to first-time ticket holders: Come early, stake your spot on the lawn, check out the aquarium exhibits, and head back to your blankets for the dinner show.

Before all that, you'll need to find tickets to the mostly sold-out Ke Kani O Ke Kai shows.

"Buy 'em early," warns Chun, smiling.